Most important reggae bass players?

[1987]

Hey,

I'm trying to get some reggae ideas into my musical vocabulary and want to know which bass players were influential in the development of the genre. Who should I check out and which albums are must-owns? Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Thanks.

[jerry]

Familyman Barrett
Flabba Holt
Robbie Shakespeare

[knarleybass]

Originally Posted by jerry

Familyman Barrett
Flabba Holt
Robbie Shakespeare

yup,
couldn't be said better...

[j-raj]

yup^ what they said.

[bassist15]

Any bob marley album , Marcys Garvey by Burning Spear has Robbie And Family Man on it.

[ErikP.Bass]

must own albums.....I would say the original Jamaican version of Catch A Fire is a must have. It is the second disc of the deluxe edition - see link below. I am not sure if it was released separately. The original record opens like a Zippo lighter...awesome.

http://www.amazon.com/Catch-Fire-Del...e=UTF8&s=music

While you are at it pick up the deluxe edition of The Harder They Come soundtrack - see link below.

http://www.amazon.com/Harder-They-De...e=UTF8&s=music

[Mojo-Man]

Originally Posted by jerry

Familyman Barrett
Flabba Holt
Robbie Shakespeare

+1
That's the S**t.

[ERIC31]

Originally Posted by jerry

Familyman Barrett
Flabba Holt
Robbie Shakespeare

Yes,
Yes
Yes!!!

As far as recordings go...
Robbie-Black Uhuru-Positive and Anthem

[Headroom]

Once again, the reggae tuba players get no love.

[3toes]

Originally Posted by Headroom

Once again, the reggae tuba players get no love.

they get their props over on TalkTuba.com

[NJL]

Originally Posted by jerry

Familyman Barrett
Flabba Holt
Robbie Shakespeare

+100

[Sounbwoy]

The above-mentioned three, PLUS-
Leroy Sibbles - http://www.leroysibbles.com/index.htm - http://www.roots-archives.com/artist/189
Lloyd Parks - http://incolor.inebraska.com/cvanpelt/lparks.html - http://www.roots-archives.com/artist/692
George "Fully"Fullwood - http://www.fullyfullwood.com/home.html - http://www.roots-archives.com/artist/1135

All these wote, produced,toured and played on SEVERAL albums for many artists INCLUDING Bob. Fully was the bass player on one of the Peter Tosh tours (if you have the Peter Tosh tour in Germany, Fully is on that tour). These guys are who Fams and Robbie listened to and learned from. Especially Sibbles.

[Dig Wilbur Ware]

A few of the heavies have been covered. Thanks also for mentioning Leroy. You've still got to include a few more of the Studio One bassists though:
Earl "Bagga" Walker
Clinton Fearon (Gladiators band)
Jackie Jackson
Val Douglas

Revolutionaries' & Aggrovators' Bertram "Ranchie" McLean (alternated with Robbie and Fully)

then you need to add one of Lee Perry's favorites:
Boris Gardiner

Don't forget a few of Augustus Pablo's often overlooked bassmen: Junior Dan, and Michael Taylor

... and then there's a variety of quality bassmen on the Wackie's from NYC

and in England, Dennis Bovell and Steel Pulse's Ronnie McQueen

Peace & Rhythm

[jerry]

Originally Posted by Dig Wilbur Ware

A few of the heavies have been covered. Thanks also for mentioning Leroy. You've still got to include a few more of the Studio One bassists though:
Earl "Bagga" Walker
Clinton Fearon (Gladiators band)
Jackie Jackson
Val Douglas

Picked up Clinton Fearon's new 'Mi De Yah' today, wonderful grooves!

[bass12]

Lots of greats already mentioned. I'll add Jackie Mittoo's left hand. Mittoo came up with a lot of the classic bass lines that are still being used today.

For albums, well, Jamaica was never so much album oriented as it was single oriented. Check out any of the numerous compilations of Studio One recordings out there - there's really no better place to start.

[pacojas]

sorry guys,... you are ALL behind the Bleeding Edge!!!
check out "RON BENJAMIN of MIDNITE". those other dudes are legends but reggae has made a paradigm shift during the past 10 years and the charge is being led by Ron and his brother Vaughn from St. Croix. the new mecca for real roots!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unDPZ...e_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL0UJ...e_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONEIB...e_gdata_player

ps: here's a bonus track that shows they are as good or better than Black Uhuru, an obvious influence!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdQpN...e_gdata_player

[conqr]

What the heck, I'll throw in Richie Daley (Third World) just to add a 'youth' amongst the old masters. And TW's music shows him playing some interesting lines over the years.

[Drewski9]

Check out Steel Pulse "True Democracy"
Ronald "Stepper" McQueen on bass.

[jerry]

Originally Posted by pacojas

sorry guys,... you are ALL behind the Bleeding Edge!!!
check out "RON BENJAMIN of MIDNITE". those other dudes are legends but reggae has made a paradigm shift during the past 10 years and the charge is being led by Ron and his brother Vaughn from St. Croix. the new mecca for real roots!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unDPZ...e_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL0UJ...e_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONEIB...e_gdata_player

Midnite have a good following out here, I agree, great stuff!

[Muddslide]

I absolutely agree with Jerry. Aston Barrett is a big influence on me, reggae or otherwise.

Lots of other great mentions on this thread as well, but I'll drop someone who hasn't yet been mentioned: Daryl Jenifer from Bad Brains. Now, Bad Brains are more of a hardcore band, but they definitely uncork some dub and reggae, and they do it well. Jenifer is totally rock steady and has some very groovy, sinewy lines up his sleeve.